Description:This perennial
has large leaves which branch off the single stem. The flowers also form
a triangular mass on top of plant. Leaves:
The oval shaped leaves are found alternate each other clasping the stem.
They are strongly ribbed with parallel veins and are up to 12 inches
long.
Flowers:The flowers appear between May and June. They
are star shaped with six petals. They grow in a pyramidal panicle
cluster at the top of the plant.Seeds:Seedpods
turn black when ripe. Division of the plant rootmass is another way of
dispersal for this plant.Stem: The stems are leafy and
unbranched.
Branching
Pattern: Alternate Height: 2-8
feet Conditions/Habitat/Kind of
Forest:Can be found in swamps, moist meadows and along the
banks of streams. Known Wildlife Interactions: Provides
protection to amphibians that hide in the leaves. Most animals avoid
this plant due to its toxic amounts of alkaloids.Range:
Found in Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and South to Maryland
and the uplands of Georgia.Conservation Status-US/ World
Wide: Not threatened in U.S. or globally. Uses (Human):
Not used for anything due to poisonous amounts of alkaloids.